Process for causing oysters to produce pearls



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

KOKICI-II MIKIMOTO, OF TOKYO, JAPAN.

PROCESS FOR CAUSING OYSTERS TO PRODIl'CE PEARLS.

No Drawing.

the mantle-parenchyma of a living oyster,

sealing the mouth of the mantle-bag so formed with a cord, and introducing it, as a. whole, into the subcutaneous tissue portion of the shell-secreting epidermis through the cut or opening surgically provided for the purpose upon the said shell-secreting epidermis of the mother oyster, taking off the cord, disinfecting the wound in forming the said cut, and lastly returning the mother oyster to the bed of the native water, and

has for its object to produce perfectly spherical pearls of increased beauty and value.

Another object of the invention is to prevent a migration of the stimulus thereby retaining it firmly at rest in its place immediately it is introduced into the said subcutaneous portion of the shell-secreting epidermis of the mollusks.

In carrying out the invention a fully grown oyster taken out from the beds of the culture water is caused to be unshelled at one side so as to expose entire parenchyma thereof. This is accomplished by holding the shell open with a wedge, and introducing therethrough a suitable tool such as knife or spatula, carefully working along the inner surface of the shell until the ligament thereof is eventually detached therefrom. The removal of the shell naturally causes a shrinkage of the mantle of the mollusk. This however can be readily stretched and remedied. After carefully trimming the mantle a stimulus of an appropriate construction will be then placed thereon, and is caused to be completely enveloped or bagged therein by turning up the portions of the mantle over the stimulus. As soon as the stimulus is bagged the neck portion of the bag is tied with a cord, and is detached or sheared off from the other parts of the mantle. This will place the Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Jan, 13, 1920,

Application filed July 23, 1919. Serial No. 312,855.

stimulus in condition ready for insertion through the cut surgically provided upon the shell-secreting epidermis of the mother oyster.

To introduce the stimulus thus obtained in its position a mother oyster likewise taken out from the beds of the sea -is held open with a wedge, and is surgically operated or out is made upon that portion of the shell secreting epidermis. will be then pushed through the cut into the subcutaneous tissue of a portion of the shellsecreting epidermis by means ofa special tool provided for the purpose. The cord with which the mouth of the mantle bag is closed Will be then untiedand withdrawn therefrom. r

The operation requires skill and quick 'manipulation so thatithe work may/be completed while the mollusk is still alive. The

cut or Wound may be properly disinfected with iodin, ether, or other suitable sterilizing substance, besides being treated with tannin or other suitable astringent. This latter treatment is important because of the reason that the exciting action of the astringent not only positively retains .the stimulus in position, but at the same time expedites the coagulation of the blood and lymph.

The oysters thus operated upon are then regularly planted back to their native water, and remain there for a certain number of years. i

My experiment proved that better result is obtained by taking off the cord which seals the mouth of the stimulus containing bag before the latter is placed in position into the mother oyster. I

What I claim is 1. A process for causing oysters to produce pearls which consists in first enveloping a stimulus in the mantle-parenchyma of the living mollusk, sealin the bag with a cord, detac ing the bagged stimulus from the mollusk and introducing it through the cut made in that portion of the shell-secreting epidermis of the mother oyster into the subcutaneous tissue portion thereof, withdrawing -'the said cord, causing the excitation so as to retain the said stimulus in rest, substantially as set forth.

2. A process for causing oysters to produce pearls including the steps of applying an astringent and disinfecting after the operation, substantially as claimed in claim 1.

The bagged stimulus.

the mouth of 3. A process for causing oysters to produce pearls, including the steps of withdrawing the cord from the mouth of the mantle-bag containing the stimulus before the same is introduced into the subcutaneous tissues of a portion of the shell-secreting epidermis of the mother oyster, substantially as set forth in claim 1.-

4. The process of causing oysters to produce pearls consisting in enveloping a stimulus in the mantle parenchyma of the living mollusk, sealing such envelop, detaching the same from the mollusk, unsealing the same, introducing the same into the subcutaneous tissue portion of the shell-secreting epidermis of a mother oyster, causing excitation to retain the stimulus in place, and replanting said mother oyster.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

KOKICHI MIKIMOTO. Witnesses:

J. KAMEDE, H. YAsUMmo. 

